Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Ivan was quite happy to have the ability to get himself on John’s schedule. While he often didn’t take as many lessons as the other students and staff – Ivan did try his best to get on there. Even as the PA – he wanted to make sure others went first. The paying ones at least, especially Harlow. He had found the perfect line to keep the young woman at ease.
He showed up dressed and ready for his lesson. “Hey, John! Yes, that sounds good to me.” The idea of a new horse did make him nervous as Odin had gotten desensitized to Ivan’s lack of flesh on his lower limbs. But if he managed a softer touch, it should be fine, right?
Ivan approached the mounting block and mounted Ziggy who seemed to already feel a bit off. But Ivan wasn’t a quitter. Unless things got bad.
"Is that so? I don't know yet. What are his disciplines? And beer, that is an odd one.." Ivan looked at the horse again, sizing him up. It wasn't in a malicious way, but in more of a checkover. He was looking for scars, any limps, or anything that could give a signal or something that could hinder the horse or rider. "What did they mean by too much horse?"
rust me Harlow, I’m very much aware. But you’re also aware John owns this place – and when he asks me to change something for a day, I do it.” He kept his smile plastered on his face. Everyone seemed to warn Ivan about Harlow. How her behavior was very silver spoon shoved down her throat. Honestly, though, she could be a lot worse. There was no better combination than a rich scientific donor. Granted, he knew he would always be a death target for her, but what could she do? John wasn’t going to fire him or bend over backward for Harlow’s will. Not unless she was family.
“Today was the only day you two were overlapping, due to an important meeting during Claudia’s session. A very important meeting. So don’t worry, the rest of the week – you’ll have him privately.” Ivan made sure to really draw on the importance of the said meeting, almost hinting that Harlow was not the most important thing to John’s Day. While Harlow was the most demanding, her lack of self-awareness seemed to make her think she was the bell of the ball. More of a piece of lichen on a rock in Ivan’s eyes – but he just kept on smiling.
“Since I’m assuming you had Ty cancel your lesson today – I can reschedule a make-up session this week, this Saturday. 9 am slot. Or you can go back and use the allotted time for today.” He looked at his watch. “You have five minutes to make your decision.”
know,” he said. “I felt the need to, and I wanted to.” Maybe in his mind, it was to make up for the fact he had missed so many birthday and holiday calls. Ivan didn’t know why they lost touch so many years ago. Was it the distance? That felt like an excuse though, since he stayed in touch with his family. But there wasn’t much room in his mind to think about what ifs, it was more about the current.
“Ah, I’ll be here for a long time,” he smiled, not knowing what her reaction would be. “I moved back full time. Decided it was time to come back. My parents were happy, so I’m living with them for a moment before I try and find a place of my own.”
Once Mina felt situated with her other gifts, Ivan held up the other beautifully wrapped gift. “This is the last one, I promise!”
The horse seemed to give a bit of a side eye before wandering over. Ivan smiled when the horse nudged him in the arm. A hand went up and when consent was given, Ivan rested a hand on the cheek – before scratching.
It didn’t take long for Ivan to catch the attention of a sales yard worker. “Hey!” Ivan called out. “What’s the info on this fine gentleman right here?” he asked.
van made a wow motion with his face. “This place is so beautiful, Mina!” he complimented, and he meant it. It was her, and very much what he expected from her. Not in a bad way, but in a way that she never let herself get dulled out. Not that he would judge her if she went for something a bit less. But it was nice to see that her personality was the same.
“Ah, I know,” Ivan said with an apologetic face. “Your family said it would be better to surprise you. They said you were busy with work, and I figured it was better to see you in person – instead of texting.” He let her grab the flowers but kept his other gifts close to him. Ivan had an order to it all, since one – they would get obsessed over and start building before the other one was open.
“Once those flowers get into some water, I want you to open this first,” Ivan instructed, hoping up the one that held the artwork. It was neatly wrapped in sparkly gold with a cloth bow around it.
van had gone out to get a few last-minute items for John from the tack store. Nothing major, but some polish and a repair kit. There tended to be a lot more running around these days, with the business of the competitions coming up. It kept Ivan from idling too long, which was great. He did feel bad since he wasn’t able to hang out with Mina, let alone text her silly cat memes as much as he did before the craziness. But she was probably the more understanding of his circle. She had all the engagement and wedding bands to be done.
He was making his way to the office to drop off the receipts and the bag of goods in his arms when he could feel her. Harlow’s eyes followed his back like some laser pointer. Her breath was near, and with luck – his phone went off as he was turning the last corner to the line of offices.
Not caring what Harlow’s reaction was, he answered the phone. “Ivan Park, how can I help you?” He placed the bags and receipts on the table outside of John’s office before turning to Harlow. Like a parent on the phone with grandma, he held his index finger up – before giving a soft knock on John’s door to notify him the delivery was dropped off.
“Of course, yes. That is the correct amount of ordered feed. Tomorrow? Yes, 10 am drop off is fine.” If Harlow was going to follow him, he was going to make it hard for her. There was some slight enjoyment out of it.
When the phone call was over. Ivan abruptly stopped after what felt like a few laps of the arena. He turned around to Harlow, offering that kind smile he always had. “Ms. Alenko,” he said. “What can I do to help you?”
Ivan told himself he was just doing research. For Mr. Ryan, of course, right? Not himself...Well, maybe for himself too. He had ridden a few of the horses at the Ryan Academy, but he didn’t have one of his own. One that he could mold to his needs. Honestly, the ability to care for one – and brush for hours when he was off. And just love on, wasn’t being provided.
He hobbled a bit, due to the cold. Winter wasn’t too terrible, but the mud made walking a bit more difficult. Ivan walked around before seeing a chestnut stallion. He looked like he was in a bit of a mood, but Ivan shrugged and walked over anyway. The young man stopped in front of the gate and looked. “Hello there,” he called out. “You’re quite handsome.” Ivan knew the horse wouldn’t talk back to him, but he could dream, right?
e couldn’t help but smile at the inner thoughts that she had hoped to keep inner. That was one of the few things that Ivan enjoyed about her. While others could see her talking to herself or relaying her thoughts out loud – he liked it. There was something about it keeping the silence at bay. Granted, there were times when there was silence between them. But Ivan missed her idle chatter. He met so many people now that didn’t know what fun imagination was.
After hearing the buzzer go off, allowing him to enter – Ivan opened the door and made his way to Mina’s flat. He gave a knock, the one he would use when they would have secret meetings in her family’s playhouse. Well, before it blew over in a storm. Then the knock became something of a memory, so he was impressed with himself that he had remembered it at all.
When the door opened, Ivan just ignored the verbal greeting and wrapped his arms around her. He held her there for a moment, before parting. Like some K-Drama love interest, he held up the bags with a big toothy grin. “I have things for you!”
van hadn’t particularly planned on surprising Mina. If anything, she probably already knew he was back – but with settling in, and finally getting a job – he felt prepared to see her. He was excited, but also nervous. Almost a decade had they been apart. While there were some light communications there, there was something about seeing each other in person.
He was prepped with almost everything she liked. A new set of Legos, some new art, chocolate, and a bouquet. One could say he was courting her, but Ivan knew what she liked. Plus, they were both children at heart, and the gifts were in a non-denominational holiday wrapping. So it could be seen as a last-minute holiday gift-giving on his end. In reality, he had run out of time to find other papers.
Ivan was told she was at the flats now, and that was easy enough to find. He managed to get her apartment number from her family and was thrilled, a bit more than he had expected, that he was planning on seeing her.
When he found her spot, Ivan stood in front of the door and placed the bag of gifts down before pushing the doorbell. He hoped she was home, as the weather was not exactly pleasant to stand in for too long. Eventually, a voice crackled over, and Ivan smiled. “Hey, Minnie! It’s me, Ivan. Can I come up?”
If you're interested, please PM me on discord or the site! - Aofie
face claim
Elisha Applebaum, Open
name
Mina -- --
age
28, 00/00/1994
occupation
open
background
Mina is Ivan's childhood friend that can also act as a love interest if the player wants to play that out! They grew up together as neighbors, and are still thick as thieves. They lost touch when college happened but picked up interactions once they learned they were both back in Hickstead.
If you're interested in anyone, please PM me on discord or the site! You can find more info about the Park family here! - Aofie
face claim
Ha Yoon Kyung, Open but must be Korean
name
-- -- Park
age
30, 00/00/1992
occupation
figure skater
background
Is Ivan's older sister! She remembers their birth mother more than Ivan does. How she feels about her parent's divorce is up to the player. She does love Rachel though!
Her level of professional figure skating is up to the player but she does have a few titles. She can be retired or not. Other interests and personalities are open!
face claim
Joo Jong Hyuk, Open but must be Korean
name
-- -- Park
age
31, 00/00/1991
occupation
open
background
Is Ivan's older brother! He remembers their birth mother more than Ivan does. How he feels about his parents' divorce is up to the player. He does love Rachel though!
His occupation, interests, and personality are open to the player.